42 U.S. Code § 7274e - Scholarship and fellowship program for environmental restoration and waste management

Scholarship and fellowship program for environmental restoration and waste management

(a) Establishment

The Secretary of Energy shall conduct a scholarship and fellowship program for the purpose of enabling individuals to qualify for employment in environmental restoration and waste management positions in the Department of Energy. The scholarship and fellowship program shall be known as the “Marilyn Lloyd Scholarship and Fellowship Program”.

(b) EligibilityTo be eligible to participate in the scholarship and fellowship program, an individual must—

(1)

be accepted for enrollment or be currently enrolled as a full-time student at an institution of higher education (as defined in section 101 of the Higher Education Act of 1965 [20 U.S.C. 1001]);

(2)

be pursuing a program of education that leads to an appropriate higher education degree in a qualifying field of study, as determined by the Secretary;

(3)

sign an agreement described in subsection (c) of this section;

(4)

be a citizen or national of the United States or be an alien lawfully admitted to the United States for permanent residence; and

(5)

meet such other requirements as the Secretary prescribes.

(c) AgreementAn agreement between the Secretary and a participant in the scholarship and fellowship program established under this section shall be in writing, shall be signed by the participant, and shall include the following provisions:

(1)

The Secretary’s agreement to provide the participant with educational assistance for a specified number of school years (not exceeding 5) during which the participant is pursuing a program of education in a qualifying field of study. The assistance may include payment of tuition, fees, books, laboratory expenses, and a stipend.

(2)

The participant’s agreement (A) to accept such educational assistance, (B) to maintain enrollment and attendance in the program of education until completed, (C) while enrolled in such program, to maintain satisfactory academic progress as prescribed by the institution of higher education in which the participant is enrolled, and (D) after completion of the program of education, to serve as a full-time employee in an environmental restoration or waste management position in the Department of Energy for a period of 12 months for each school year or part thereof for which the participant is provided a scholarship or fellowship under the program established under this section.

(d) Repayment

(1) Any person participating in a scholarship or fellowship program established under this section shall agree to pay to the United States the total amount of educational assistance provided to the person under the program, plus interest at the rate prescribed by paragraph (4), if the person—

(A)

does not complete the course of education as agreed to pursuant to subsection (c) of this section, or completes the course of education but declines to serve in a position in the Department of Energy as agreed to pursuant to subsection (c) of this section; or

(B)

is voluntarily separated from service or involuntarily separated for cause from the Department of Energy before the end of the period for which the person has agreed to continue in the service of the Department of Energy.

(2) If an employee fails to fulfill his agreement to pay to the Government the total amount of educational assistance provided to the person under the program, plus interest at the rate prescribed by paragraph (4), a sum equal to the amount of the educational assistance (plus such interest) is recoverable by the Government from the person or his estate by—

(A)

in the case of a person who is an employee, setoff against accrued pay, compensation, amount of retirement credit, or other amount due the employee from the Government; and

(B)

such other method as is provided by law for the recovery of amounts owing to the Government.

(3)

The Secretary may waive in whole or in part a required repayment under this subsection if the Secretary determines the recovery would be against equity and good conscience or would be contrary to the best interests of the United States.

(4)

For purposes of repayment under this section, the total amount of educational assistance provided to a person under the program shall bear interest at the applicable rate of interest under section 427A(c) of the Higher Education Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C. 1077a(c)).

(e) Preference for cooperative education students

In evaluating applicants for award of scholarships and fellowships under the program, the Secretary of Energy may give a preference to an individual who is enrolled in, or accepted for enrollment in, an educational institution that has a cooperative education program with the Department of Energy.

(f) Coordination of benefits

A scholarship or fellowship awarded under this section shall be taken into account in determining the eligibility of the student for Federal student financial assistance provided under title IV of the Higher Education Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C. 1070 et seq. [and 42 U.S.C. 2751 et seq.]).